Markus Brandner

Engineering Director Mercedes-Benz

Germany

About

As Engineering Director Mercedes-Benz at Lear Corporation, I lead a team of approximately 65 professionals in the Sindelfingen Tech Center to deliver cutting-edge seating solutions. My work focuses on fostering collaboration, ensuring operational excellence, and aligning regional teams with global business goals. With over eight years of international leadership experience, I leverage cross-functional expertise to navigate complex challenges and drive innovation. My leadership philosophy is rooted in trust, respect, and empathy, ensuring a people-centric approach to execution, even under high-pressure situations. I am passionate about strategic clarity and continuous improvement, regularly refining my approach to adapt to dynamic market demands. Known for facilitating alignment in diverse teams, I aim to empower organizations to achieve sustainable growth through data-driven decisions and innovative solutions.

Experience

  • Lear Corporation (Full-time · 4 yrs 4 mos)
    • Engineering Director Mercedes-Benz
      Mar 2026 - Present · 4 mos

    • Engineering Director EU
      Apr 2024 - Mar 2026 · 2 yrs

      I currently oversee five Tech Centers, three Test Labs, and a Prototype Shop across Europe, leading ~160 professionals in delivering high-performance thermal comfort solutions.

    • Global Validation Director
      Mar 2022 - May 2024 · 2 yrs 3 mos

  • Kongsberg Automotive (7 yrs 3 mos)
    • Global Validation Director
      Feb 2018 - Mar 2022 · 4 yrs 2 mos

    • Engineering Manager
      Jan 2015 - Jan 2018 · 3 yrs 1 mo

  • Head of Seat Testing at EDAG
    Oct 2010 - Dec 2014 · 4 yrs 3 mos